2015 Seminars

95% of all criminal cases are resolved by a guilty plea. Michigan prosecutors used the state’s mandatory legislative sentencing guidelines as a tool to obtain plea agreements favorable to the prosecution. Not anymore! On July 29, the Michigan Supreme Court decided People v Lockridge, ___ Mich ___ (2015), and rendered the guidelines advisory only. This will change your negotiation strategy. Come learn about Lockridge and how to negotiate plea agreements in this new era.

The Michigan Indigent Defense Commission is required by statute to collect and compile data for the review of indigent defense services in Michigan; create minimum standards to ensure all systems providing indigent defense meet constitutional obligations for effective assistance of counsel; and work with counties to implement plans to meet the standards and measure the performance of counties in providing public defense services. As data collection begins and the first set of minimum standards have been proposed, Executive Director Jonathan Sacks will explain the Commission’s goals and timetable and how the MIDC will impact indigent defense in Wayne County.

Search and Seizure issues are among the most popular training topics requested by criminal defense attorneys, and this session will cover all of the basics from black letter law to the latest developments in the US Supreme Court, as well as tips for written motion practice and evidentiary hearings.

On the surface, Probation Violations seem very straight forward but they can be a malpractice suit waiting to happen. In this seminar we will cover the applicable court rules and appellate decisions that govern PVs. You will learn a step-by-step approach that will ensure that you are properly representing your client. We will also briefly cover the recent changes to HYTA and what it means to our clients.

Michigan’s laws on medical marijuana can be confusing and are constantly in flux. Attorney Michael Komorn, President of the Michigan Medical Marijuana Association will help guide you through the ever changing landscape of medical marijuana law in Michigan.

Experienced practitioner Gabi Silver will provide insight and guidance for criminal defense attorneys handling cases where the voluntariness of a client’s confession may be at issue. Ms. Silver will provide tips for filing a successful motion to suppress a confession and a motion for a Walker Hearing. People v Walker, 374 Mich 331 (1965). Learn when to determine if such a motion is appropriate by analyzing the various circumstances surrounding your client’s statement (including, length and conditions of the detention; the physical and mental state of the defendant; the age, mentality, and prior criminal experience of the defendant; the nature of any inducement offered; the conduct of the police; and the adequacy and frequency of the advice of rights) and learn how to prepare for and conduct a Walker hearing.

You do not want to miss this exciting lecture on the law of Hearsay; what it is and what it is not, laid out in clear concise language.

Mr. Baughman is an appellate practitioner that has appeared before the United States Supreme Court six times and before the Michigan Supreme Court over seventy times. He is the author of Michigan Criminal Law and Procedure Practice Deskbook a.k.a “The Baughman Book.”

Learn how the Michigan State Police Crime Lab works. There will be plenty of opportunity for questions. We encourage you to submit your questions in advance via email to lynn.wade@3rdcc.org. Your questions will be submitted to the Speaker, Captain Gregoire Michaud, Director of the Forensic Science Division of the Michigan State Police.

NOTE: The MSP Forensic Laboratory’s Training and Procedures Manual can be located by visiting: http://www.mspsttbureau.org. Username: michigansado, Password: 123456

Practicing law in the criminal arena can be challenging. We are expected to be knowledgeable, skilled, and proficient. And we must be competent. And all the while, we must be ethical. At this session we will hear from attorneys from the Attorney Grievance Commission, and from a lawyer who defends attorneys when they are accused of violating the Rules of Professional Responsibility. They will share with us their thoughts on how to avoid ethical problems while we practice our profession.

Come join us, and bring your questions.

Anne M. Yantus, Manager of SADO’s Special Unit on Pleas & Sentencing, will provide a legal update and practical advice on substantive sentencing law and guidelines issues.

Always informative! Cooley Law School Professor Ronald J. Bretz returns for his annual engagement to update what’s new from the Michigan Supreme Court and the Michigan Court of Appeals.

Kathy Swedlow analyzes the recent decisions of the United States Supreme Court.

This date is reserved as an alternate date if one of the originally scheduled sessions is canceled.